WELCOME - Diane M. (Schaffer) Runkle, age 75, of Welcome, passed away with family by her side on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont, MN.

A Funeral Mass will be held for Diane at 1:00 PM on Friday, November 13, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Fairmont, (901 S Prairie Ave, Fairmont, MN 56031) with Father Jeff Dobbs officiating. Diane’s service will be recorded and available to be viewed at her obituary page at www.sinnfuneralhome.com.

Visitation will take place from 5:00 - 7:00 PM on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at the Sinn Family Celebration of Life Center - Welcome (214 N Dugan Street, Welcome, MN 56181) as well as from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM on Friday at the church.

Diane will be laid to rest at the Welcome City Cemetery in Welcome, MN.

The Sinn Family Celebration of Life Center of Trimont, Sherburn, and Welcome is assisting the family with arrangements. If you would like to leave a message of sympathy for Diane’s family, you can do so at www.sinnfuneralhome.com.

Diane Mae (Schaffer) Runkle was born on August 13, 1951, to Harold and Anna (Balster) Schaffer in Slayton, MN. She grew up attending the Church of St. Ann in Slayton, and graduated from Slayton High School in 1969. While at a CYO dance, Diane met the love of her life, Ron Runkle, and they were united in marriage on August 29, 1970 at the Church of St. Ann. They were blessed with four children, Brian, Jeff, Angela, and Stacie.

Diane raised their children in Welcome, where they have lived in the same home for 51 years. In addition, she sold Tupperware for many years and also worked as the assistant manager at Cenex in Welcome and later at Walmart in Fairmont.Diane was a very generous person, always looking for ways that she could help others. She loved spending time with family and friends, and surrounded herself with others whenever she could. She treasured the time she was able to spend with her children and grandchildren - especially around the card table, where she won nearly every nickel. She also enjoyed baking, gardening, playing cards, sewing, and BINGO. She was a great listener, and every conversation with her was full of warmth and love. Every “I love you” was always followed by an “I love you more.”

Diane will forever be remembered by her loving husband of 57 years, Ron; sons, Brian (Barb) Runkle and Jeff Runkle; daughters, Angela (Gregg) Fullerton and Stacie (Dennis) Johnson; grandchildren, Karley (Joseph) Richter, Owen Runkle, Malaki Runkle, Morgan Fullerton, Ethan Fullerton, Ava Lyng, and Evan Lyng; great-grandchildren, Eliza, Tatum, and Jovi Richter; sisters, Jean Beckendorf, Lois Saxton, Theresa (Larry) Cummings; brother, LeRoy Schaffer; brother-in-law, David (Diane) Runkle, Gary (Marge) Runkle, Joe Runkle, and Tim (Jean) Runkle; sister-in-law, Mary (Fran) Timmerman, Monica Misjak, and Maureen (George) Nasman; and other relatives and friends.

Diane was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Anna; brother, Dave Schaffer; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Francis and Marcella (Winchell) Runkle; brothers-in-law, Louis Beckendorf, Leland Saxton, and Loren Misjak; and sister-in-law, Pat (Butch) Winter.